Perth Arena could rival Sydney Opera House

The controversial $550 million Perth Arena has the potential to become the city's equivalent to the Sydney Opera House, West Australian Premier Colin Barnett claims.

Years overdue, hundreds of millions of dollars over budget and boasting an architecture that has already violently divided opinion in the city, the arena finally opens its doors to the public on Friday for a free sound check concert for local residents.

Despite the finishing touches still being placed on the exterior of the angular amphitheatre, which sports a retractable roof that can open in seven minutes, it will be officially christened by Sir Elton John next Saturday night.

The opening concert will bring up the curtain on the most contentious construction in Perth since Richard Court's Bell Tower in 2000.

According to Graham Partridge, chairman of the venue manager VenuesWest, the 15,000-seat multipurpose arena will become one of the world's best entertainment facilities as soon as it opens its doors.

But during a tour of the facility, Mr Barnett went one step further, claiming that as the years go by the architectural oddity could be placed on a par with the Opera House and its iconic shells.

"It has been contentious at times, it cost more than anticipated, it took longer to build but the final result is simply brilliant," Mr Barnett said.